Confidential tip line for students available in Michigan

Students in Michigan schools can now report potential threats through a confidential tip line.

The “OK-2-Say” line allows students and concerned citizens to report anonymous tips via a 24-hour hotline, web, text messages and a mobile app.

Sen. Judy Emmons, R-Sheridan, sponsored the bill to create the 24-hour, confidential tip line. She hopes the program will become a safe way to prevent violence in schools.

“We want them to feel secure," said Emmons. "Sometimes they are reluctant. They don’t want to rat out their friends… We just want them to feel confident that there is help out there, that it will be confidential.”

The initiative is modeled after a Colorado-based program, which reported more than 3,000 tips received last year about concerns including bullying, suicide, and sexually related crimes.

Emmons adds that the program doesn’t displace 911, but it’s an early warning system that can allow law enforcement to act before tragedies occur.

“I hope this will be a tool to prevent instances from occurring. As time goes on and more people become aware, people will feel confident it’s a safe means of communication,” said Emmons.

The Michigan House of Representatives is considering a new program to help prevent school violence.

The OK-2-SAY hotline would be available for students, teachers, parents or community members to call and report incidences of violence in schools.

Joanne Spry is the superintendent of Cadillac Area Public Schools. She implemented a similar program when she worked as an administrator in Colorado after the school shootings in Columbine. Spry says students are more likely to report something anonymously.

​LANSING – Several Michigan schools are expected to get money to help transition from the traditional school calendar to a year-round calendar as part of a pilot program.

MLive.com reports the State Board of Education is set to approve grant requests for four schools at next week's meeting and two additional schools received money through the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to help offset their costs.

The Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System is set to get $750,000; charter school GEE Edmonson Academy in Detroit will get $395,000; and Ypsilanti Community Schools will get $146,000.

Baldwin Community Schools and Madison District Public Schools each received $750,000 through the MEDC.